Champagne Rene Geoffroy 'Expression' 1er Cru Brut (750ml)

Designed as a blend of two vintages, in this case near-equal amounts of 2014 and ’15, Expression is focused on red grapes (35 percent each pinot noir and meunier). Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy enriches the wine’s freshness with reserves that he stores in oak foudres. The combination is smooth and sophisticated, with ripe flavors of crisp apples over a supple texture. The finish is pale and chalky, leaving a clean, fresh feel.

Aromas of crushed chalk, peaches and minerals with hints of crushed stone follow through to a full body with layers of fruit, fine phenolics and fresh acidity. Polished and creamy texture. 35% pinot meunier, 30% chardonnay and 35% pinot noir.

Pouring a bright straw color, the NV Champagne Premier Cru Cumières Expression Extra Brut is 50% from their perpetual reserve and the rest from 2021, with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier. (The perpetual reserve started in 1970.) I like the tension this wine presents, with a rounded, airy mousse that keeps it light on its feet and medium body, offering a pithy texture and notes of fresh redcurrants, orange peel, and a chalky finish.

Disgorged in November 2019, the new release of Geoffroy's NV Brut Expression delivers an inviting bouquet of pear, yellow apples, fresh pastry and hints of honeycomb, much like its July 2019-disgorged predecessor. Medium to full-bodied, bright and incisive, it's a chiseled, precise wine with a charming core of fruit, bright acids and a pinpoint mousse, concluding with a delicately chalky finish.

Clean-cut and lacy in texture, this mixes a baseline of chalky mineral with juicy white cherry, salted Marcona almond, honeysuckle and grated ginger notes.